Tyler Lockett is a versatile NFL talent, an instinctive and creative playmaker as both a receiver and a Pro-Bowl returner! Lockett shows his heart, not only making plays on the field, but also using play on words as a hope-filled Spoken Word poet. “What it is you want to say to be able to get them to see your side of the perspective,” says Tyler, “to be able to impact everybody at the place that they’re at – kids, adults, anybody!”

Like his oratory art, the former K-State standout’s impact with the football provides him room to create.

Question: “What’s the mindset, what’s the view you have when you get the ball on a return?”

Tyler: “All I see is open space! Obviously, we have a game plan, we have holes that are supposed to be open, you got to be able to learn how to set it up and learn how to be able to trust everybody around you. It’s about setting up the blocks. And so you just got to learn how to be creative in a way that you do it, but also to be able to put yourself in a position to help the team be successful!”

Question: “So, Tyler, how does the skill, from both of your positions as a returner and as a receiver, what does it provide you in the other role?”

Tyler: “First I think it helps you with value ‘cuz in the NFL it’s all about the more that you can do! To be able to be a receiver and do both returns it kind of gives you a position to be able to be on that depth chart. Whenever you look at the return game it helps you to be able to transition – when you have a ball in your hands it’s on you! You make everything happen whether you catch it or whether it’s a reverse – is your turn it into a punt return!”

Question: “It does seem like there’s a lot of creativity – and that hits your sweet spot, right? Are there similarities between you as a poet and you as a football player?”

Tyler: “You’ve got to be able to be creative. But I think you’ve got to make people believe what you’re doing and I think that’s the biggest thing because the way you run routes, if you try to give like a little nod – they gotta believe it! So, in my poetry – if I don’t believe it, if I don’t think it sounds good enough – then I know they aren’t going to think it sounds good enough or they’re not going to believe it.”

Question: “What is the pondering in the expression of Spoken Word, for you?”

Tyler: “In my Spoken Word, instead of me pointing at other people, I put it all in my shoes because it’s easier for someone to relate! It takes away any type of feelings that people had towards not wanting to accept it because it’s not now anything going after them. They can grasp what you’re saying and so I try to put it to where everybody can relate and understand!”

Question: “What would be the best thing to happen – where and how do you want it to impact?”

Tyler: “I don’t always put the hope in the message but there are other times that I do! You know, I had a friend talking about committing suicide – and I had put that in a poem. In order to get him out of the dark, you gotta turn on the light so he can be able to see what it is about his life that people appreciate, and how his life is important and impactful to everybody else around him! So, it’s like little analogies so people can be able to get it and understand.”

Question: “How do you live what you preach?”

Tyler: “Being able to keep yourself accountable! I mean, if you don’t have that accountability, if you don’t have somebody there to push you or help you, you gotta learn to be able to push or help yourself because at some point in time you’re going to be isolated. The closer you get to God the easier it is for you to change because it just happens. It’s not like you’ve got to force yourself to do it! That’s all it’s about – being you and being able to get closer to God!”

Question: “Spoken Word. Scripture’s referred to as The Word. Does scripture look or sound differently to you?”

Tyler: “You see what scripture says to that situation, to now where you could try to add certain things into your poems, so where people are like, ‘Oh wow, you know, okay.’ I think when you read The Word you start seeing the little things and how it does affect your life.”

Question: “How has your companionship with Him – your savior – how has that shaped you?”

Tyler: “To me honestly, He’s everything! You’re going to get to the point where it’s like, ‘there has to be more!’ What is it that’s going to keep me going? Or what is it that gives me a purpose? Not to be depressed! And not to have anxiety! Or not to be fearful of death! The one thing that keeps you going is to have faith in God and that Jesus came and died for everything. He’s given you the things that you need to live a fulfilled, thankful life!”

Upcoming Events

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October 26 (Friday) - March 10 (Sunday)

Location

Nelson-Atkins

4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO

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Napoleon: Power and Splendor marks the first exploration of the majesty and the artistic, political and ideological significance of Napoleon’s imperial court from Napoleon’s self-appointment as First Consul in 1799

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Napoleon: Power and Splendor marks the first exploration of the majesty and the artistic, political and ideological significance of Napoleon’s imperial court from Napoleon’s self-appointment as First Consul in 1799 to his abdication in 1814. The Imperial Household was a key institution during Napoleon’s reign. It was responsible for the daily lives of the Imperial family and the day-to-day existence of former general Bonaparte, who became Emperor Napoleon.

The exhibition aims to re-create the ambiance and capture the spirit that prevailed in the French court during the Empire. A selection of works, most of which have never before been exhibited in North America, will reveal the power and splendor of the Imperial Household and its role in fashioning a monarchic identity for the new emperor, his family and loyal entourage.

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If you are new to homeschooling, a well-seasoned veteran, or still on the fence trying to decide what direction is best for your family, we would love to have you

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If you are new to homeschooling, a well-seasoned veteran, or still on the fence trying to decide what direction is best for your family, we would love to have you join us for an information meeting. We have programs available starting at four years of age through high school. At the information meeting, we will be sharing with you about the Christian, classical, and community model that is Classical Conversations. There will be plenty of time for you to ask any questions you might have and also an opportunity to look through some of the curricula we use. Please come join us no matter your level of interest. We would love the opportunity to share with you what has been such a great blessing to our own families. Please RSVP via through the website under the events tab. It is okay to RSVP even if it’s an hour before the meeting. When you RSVP we’ll give you directions on where to enter the building. See you soon!

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(Tuesday) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Location

Deerbrook Covenant Church

200 NE Tudor Road, Lee's Summit, MO 64086

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Fear-Not is a Christ-Centered Support Group for Anxiety and Depression.
We are using material based on the Christian 12 Steps; Serenity Prayer also Anxiety Centre
http://www.anxietycentre.com/
also "The Anxiety/Phobia Workbook" by Edmund Bourne.

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Fear-Not is a Christ-Centered Support Group for Anxiety and Depression.
We are using material based on the Christian 12 Steps; Serenity Prayer also Anxiety Centre

http://www.anxietycentre.com/

also “The Anxiety/Phobia Workbook” by Edmund Bourne. (probably find at the library or on sale online) We have a Yahoo Group (link below) you can join…there is a lot of information in the folders on stress and anxiety… Group home page:

Just stay calm….you are not losing your mind…you are just under a lot of stress….so no big surprise that you are having an emotional reaction that seems very strong….your body is sending you a message “I am on overload”…warning, warning be wise and heed the warning. I was in the deepest miry pit imaginable…and if the Lord can bring me out, I know He can also help others who are struggling.

We meet on Tuesdays from 7-8:30 pm each week. Email fear-not@att.net for more information.

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Amidst a culture shifting like the tide, it is imperative that students are ready to defend “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).

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Amidst a culture shifting like the tide, it is imperative that students are ready to defend “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). So mark your calendars for Ready, a youth conference held in Kansas City, MO on January 25-26, 2019. This conference features the following guest speakers: Sam Bierig, Brian Davis, Rechab Gray, Owen Strachan, and Jared C. Wilson.

An additional concert with nobigdyl. will be held on January 25. Concert tickets are included in conference registration or can be purchased separately.

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nobigdyl. is an independent hip-hop artist from Nashville, TN. He released his debut album Canopy, which reached #7 on iTunes Hip-Hop Charts, in February 2017. The album was met with

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nobigdyl. is an independent hip-hop artist from Nashville, TN. He released his debut album Canopy, which reached #7 on iTunes Hip-Hop Charts, in February 2017. The album was met with high praise, with the debut single Purple Dinosaur’s video being featured this summer in Journey’s stores across the U.S. He has since released a stand-alone single, Shakira, with Marty of Social Club, whose video has garnered 100,000 views in the first month. As the founding member of indie tribe., a collective of artists independent of mainstream ideals, he seeks to light up the darkness through music. $20 concert only.

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Come for a quiet, relaxing day of encouragement in the middle of the school year! These special retreats are open for all homeschool moms (or those interested in homeschooling). Light

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Come for a quiet, relaxing day of encouragement in the middle of the school year! These special retreats are open for all homeschool moms (or those interested in homeschooling). Light breakfast refreshments, hot drinks, and a beautiful, delicious catered lunch will indulge you as you glean wisdom from God’s word through speaker sessions and visiting with other homeschool moms. The Midwest Parent Educators (MPE) homeschool organization is hosting the annual Women’s Encouragement Day

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Shen Yun invites you to travel back to the magical world of ancient China. Experience a lost culture through the breathtaking art of classical Chinese dance, and see legends

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Shen Yun invites you to travel back to the magical world of ancient China. Experience a lost culture through the breathtaking art of classical Chinese dance, and see legends come to life. Shen Yun pushes the boundaries of the performing arts to make this possible, with a unique blend of colorful costuming, high-tech backdrops, and live orchestra. Be prepared for a theater experience like no other.

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Join Jackson County Historical Society on Holocaust Remembrance Day for a screening of Big Sonia.
Standing tall at 4’8″, Sonia is one of the last remaining Holocaust survivors in Kansas City

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Join Jackson County Historical Society on Holocaust Remembrance Day for a screening of Big Sonia.

Standing tall at 4’8″, Sonia is one of the last remaining Holocaust survivors in Kansas City and one of the only survivors there who speaks publicly about her wartime experience. Sonia’s enormous personality and fragile frame mask the horrors she endured. At 15 she watched her mother disappear behind gas chamber doors. Sonia’s teenage years were a blur of concentration camps and death marches. On liberation day, she was accidentally shot through the chest, yet again miraculously survived. Sonia is the ultimate survivor, a bridge between cultures and generations. Her story must never be forgotten.